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Manga First Look: Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt has to be one of the most intriguing Manga we’ve come across in a long time. In the ever expanding story of mechanics we have the war of Thunderbolt unfolding in recent volumes of Mobile Suit Gundam.

This time the story revolves around the war between the Federarion and the Zeon in the Thunderbolt sector. The war has come to the point where both sides must get involved. But interestingly enough the focus isn’t too much on the flash and spectacle of the giant mechas.

Instead it’s more on the psychology. For our character, Fleming, he must accept that he’s sending several young people, to their deaths. The tension is met in understanding that these soldiers are merely heroic sacrifices that we should cheer on. They are byproducts of a war torn world who signed up more out of necessity over bravery.

The emotional response is not really seen from Fleming’s point of view because of this. Instead we see it from Captain Peer’s point of view. It is Peer after all who gives the direct order to do so. And now Peers will have to struggle with the decision on a regular basis. The two different points of views work well together to keep things feeling fresh.

Lorenz, on the other hand, has his own psychological ideals to contend with as he’s back at the Living Dead Division. He’s sacrificing his own body for the sake of the Zeon scientists. He’s a great representation of the teen soldier in the Federation who takes high risk positions because the other option is useless to the war.

Sacrifice after sacrifice comes his way as he tries to get better control of Psycho Zaku. His gains aren’t anything beneficial, at least not to himself.

Overall Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt is a fun and interesting read, we definitely recommend it to any Gundam Fans!

Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt, Volume 2 is out today! Let us know what your favorite mobile suits from the series are! #GundamThunderbolt